What it is:

A template for making elaborate, flexible and highly interactive course web sites. No knowledge of html coding is required because instructors create their sites by using forms and buttons available in the template. The whole environment is on the web. The best thing about it is that it is largely self-explanatory.

1. The student can see only the options put forth by the instructor.
2. By default, anybody can preview the course, by logging in as guest, with the password: guest.
3. Previewing as a guest does not provide full access. An instructor can disable previewing if desired.
4. For full access students must:

• FIRST: Create an account with Blackboard
• SECOND: Enroll in the course.

1. If a student has a Blackboard account they can preview any Blackboard course just as if they logged in as guest.
2. Many students are confused by this 2 step process.
3. Instructors can enroll students themselves or allow students to do this on their own. Instructors can open or close enrollment at will.

1. When the instructor logs into their course they see a Control Panel button unavailable to the students.
2. Instructors may enable or disable any feature of the Blackboard course.
3. Generous ATUS and CII help is available:

John Farquhar x 6538

Susan Brown x 7222

David Hamiter x 4978

Justina Brown x 7210

Karen Calsto x 4943

4. What you won't see today due to time constraints: On-line testing (very flexible and powerful).

1. Start here: http://courses.wwu.edu/

2. Notice the "Create Account" button, if you have your Blackboard login name and password you won't need to do this. Students are required to share their email when they create an account.
3. Navigate through "Training" to "Training-SMATE (TRN364-mg).
4. Enroll in this course by clicking on the Enroll button.
5. Notable Features:

• Announcements
• Course Information: consider document format issues
• Staff Information
• Course Documents: upload many types of resources (doc's, movies, images etc.)
• Assignments: creative use of technology (group chats/discussions, web sites, software)
• Communication: discussions, (multiple forums, each with multiple treads) live chat, email groups
• External Links: these could be links to your pre-existing web pages or to sites that could be part of assignments.
• Student Tools: grade checking is possible, electronic drop off, student web sites

1. First, log out of Blackboard by clicking the "Log Out" button.
2. Second, exit Netscape and restart it.
3. Return to: http://courses.wwu.edu
4. Navigate to your own course through CAS, or click on Training if you don't have one.
5. When you find your course and click on it you will be asked for your login name and password.
6. If you are using a Training Course, a login name and password will be assigned.
7. Notice the Control Panel button. Click there to create your course site.
8. Notable features of the Control Panel:

• Page Editors: upload a document in course information, consider format, consider options. In general, these all have the same interface.

If you need some files to upload find some at:

H:\Resources\Course Web Sites\Blackboard-PracticeFiles

• Site Management: look at Site Options (enable, disable, secure/enable, disable enrollment), look at communication and student tools (enable, disable)
• Communication Center: discussion board allows instructor to start and control forums, email allows messages to groups, retrieve files from digital drop box.
• User Manager: titles are self explanatory
• Assessment Manager: Wow! Study statistics on site use, create and grade on-line tests, manage on-line grade reports for student access.

1. Begin to develop your site as you wish.